8A30.70 - Parallax

Code Number:
8A30.70
Demo Title:
Parallax
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Object Movement Against a Distant Background
Area of Study:
Astronomy

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Monkey, patterned wall with some marked reference.
Procedure:

Place the monkey between the patterned wall with the black string reference and the observer.  Have the observer block one eye and note the reference point and then block the other eye and notice that the reference point changes in relation to the monkey.

Another way to do this is to move the monkey across the distant background.  Observers sitting in different places in the lecture room will have different views.

References:
  • Jeff Stephens, Melissa Bostjancic, and Tara Koskulitz, "A Study on Parallax Error in Video Analysis", TPT, Vol. 57, #3, Mar. 2019, p. 193.
  • Christopher Sirola, "Depth perception", TPT, Vol. 55, #3, Mar. 2017, p. 188.
  • Akshar Narain, "Measuring Astronomical Distances with Linear Programming", TPT, Vol. 53, #5, May 2015, p. 300.
  • Todd K. Timberlake, "Seeing Earth's Orbit in the Stars: Parallax and Aberration", TPT, Vol. 51, #8, Nov. 2013, p. 478.
  • David P. Stern, "Shipshape Battleships", TPT, Vol. 48, #6, Sept. 2010, p. 358.
  • Patrick Dishaw, "Author's Response", TPT, Vol. 48, #6, Sept. 2010, p. 358.
  • Jonathan Marr, "Measuring the Distance to an Outer Planet by Parallax with a Camera", TPT, Vol. 35, #1, Jan. 1997, p. 34.
  • Stephen J. Ratcliff et al., "The Measurement of Astronomical Parallaxes with CCD Imaging Cameras on Small Telescopes", AJP, Vol. 61, #3, Mar. 1993, p. 208.
  • Joe L. Ferguson, "More Parallax Without Pain", AJP, Vol. 45, #12, Dec. 1977, p. 1221.
  • Alan Spero, "Stellar Distances by Parallax and Relative Magnitude: A Laboratory Model", AJP, Vol. 45, #11, Nov. 1977, p. 1124.
  • W. A. Deutschman, "Parallax Without Pain", AJP, Vol. 45, #5, May 1977, p. 490.
  • Martin C. Sagendorf, "Parallax", Physics Demonstration Apparatus, 2009, p. 24.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Design a Way to Measure Parallax Shift and Use It to Determine the Distance to an Object", Super Science Challenges, p. 24.
  • Janice VanCleave, "61. Distant Stars", Astronomy for Every Kid - 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, p. 134 - 135.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Parallax: Apparent Shift of an Object", A+ Projects in Astronomy, p. 172.
  • Isaac Asimov, "Smashing the Sky", Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine, p. 132.
  • Janice VanCleave,"Shifting", 203 Icy, Freezing, Frosty, Cool, and Wild Experiments, p. 13.
  • D. Tattersfield, "7.32 Velocity of Recession", Project & Demonstrations in Astronomy, p. 176.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.